Thursday, April 12, 2012

PCV Training for Driving Minibuses

You need PCV training from experienced trainers to become a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) driver. According to the strict driving regulation of UK and the European Union, obtaining the PCV driver license of a specific category is a prerequisite for driving vehicles of the relevant category.

Categories of PCV driving licence

The PCV driving licence is divided into two categories - D1 and D. People with the D1 licence can drive minibuses with 9 to 16 passenger seats. Larger buses can only be driven by people with category D licence.

In addition to driving minibuses, the category D licence holders are eligible for driving passenger carrying recovery vehicle of weight not more than 10.2 tonnes for transporting disabled or injured passengers. In addition to the category D licence, the driver should hold a public service vehicle operators licence.

However, drivers of certain categories of passenger carrying vehicles can drive minibuses without a D or D1 category licence. People with a full category B or car licence can drive minibuses with 16 seats, provided the driver is at least 21 years of age, drives a vehicle owned by a non-commercial organization for a social purpose and not for hire or reward, and the maximum weight of the minibus including equipments for disabled people is 4.25 tonnes. An elderly driver above 70 years of age who meets the medical standards essential for driving a D1 category vehicle can drive a minibus. Passenger carrying vehicles at least 30 years old with not more than eight seats can be driven by a driver with a full category B licence for purposes other than hire or reward.

Why you need PCV driving training

By enrolling in a reputed PCV training course, you will receive the best quality training from experienced trainers that will help you to pass the PCV driving test. Candidates at least 18 years of age are eligible for obtaining PCV driving licence. However, until the age of 21, you can only drive minibuses that run up to a distance of 50 km.

Only candidates who meet the stringent medical regulations can apply for a provisional driving licence. You will receive the category D1 or D driving licence only after passing both the practical and the theory tests.

The PCV driving training courses are tailored to meet the requirement of individual candidates as assessed by the initial driving aptitude test conducted by the training organization. During the training program, candidates learn the different methods of handling a passenger carrying vehicle in diverse driving conditions.